Ottawa: A Canadian cop, identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi—a Peel Regional Police officer— was reportedly suspended for participating in a pro-Khalistan attack outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, according to reports.
Sohi was caught on camera, holding a Khalistan flag as other protesters shouted anti-India slogans, a CBC report stated. He was seen participating with the pro-Khalistani groups that attacked on Hindus at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton on Sunday.
According to reports, Sohi, an 18-year veteran of the force, also received death threats on social media after he was suspended. The Peel Regional Police Association offered “assistance and protection” to Sohi.
Richard Chin, Peel Police spokesperson, said they were aware of the video circulating on social media showing one of their off-duty officers participating in a protest, reported the Hindustan Times.
“This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act. We are investigating the circumstances in totality depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until such time that this investigation is complete,” Chin said, as quoted by the CBC News.
Meanwhile, Peel Regional Police said they were taking steps to ensure protests against the incident are held in a ‘peaceful’ manner.
“Officers will be deployed to ensure peace and lawfulness at planned demonstrations. Violence and other criminal acts have no place in our community,” Peel Regional Police wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also slammed the “deliberate attack” outside the temple near Toronto.
“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” PM Narendra Modi wrote on X.
The recent attack adds to the ongoing tension between India and Canada. The ties between the two countries had hit an all-time low following Canadian leaders making allegations, without providing proof, about the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has denied such allegations.